Thursday, December 24, 2009

Still Recovering

Will's first night in ICU was a stressful one to say the least. In ICU there are six beds and three nurses constantly taking care of six patients. As to be expected, Will was in a lot of pain. The pain that he experienced the first night was the same pain he had the night he had the pericardial window done. Unfortunately, we were not able to sleep over night with him in ICU, so we were not there to console him. That is the hardest thing about being a loved one with someone in the hospital. You want him to always have a familiar face around him. The nurses in ICU are amazing! We got the best care there. Yesterday, Will was moved from ICU to a private room. This facility mostly has private rooms. He has been in a great deal of pain since coming out of surgery. The night he came out of surgery, they had to move him because they needed to change his sheets on his bed. Will said that the pain was excruciating when they moved him to change his bed. ICU nurses seemed to know how to alleviate some of the pain. Thank God, Team McCaffrey is here. With the collaborative effort from knowledgeable nurses in our family, and the relentless, "We aren't taking No for an answer" attitude, they are now giving him a narcotic that allows him to be comfortable. Last night, Will predominantly slept in his chair, and this morning he wanted to move from the chair to the bed. It is heart wrenching to hear the person that you love the most say, "I am going to die from this pain." We immediately got the nurse's attention, and she brought him some more pain meds. He is now back to sleep.
Even though, he really has no idea what day or time it is, I know that he is thinking (subconsciously ) about his Nana's house. Will's family has a tradition every Christmas Eve that they go to his Nana's house. This will be the first year in thirty years that Will be missing it. Even though, he will be there in spirit, it is just not the same. He just absolutely adores his Nana.
Will and I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday and a fantastic New Year. In the midst of opening Christmas presents, drinking Egg Nog, and having a festive dinner, please remember to tell each other how much you love each other. I have been given the best Christmas gift EVER!
Thank you again for all of the prayers, thoughts, and love being sent our way!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Shana My "birthday twin"; I am thinking of you this Christmas Eve morning; I have just spent the last 3 days @ St. Joesphs where my husband, Giuliano has been a patient..he is doing fine and will come home today...you and Will are in my thoughts and prayers each day...he sounds like a wonderful man and I look forward to meeting him one day...as I mentioned, my sister will be at MD Anderson January 6th for a second opinion to her medical situation...
Merry Christmas and to a Healthy happy New Year!!!Deb Eck Mevoli

Anonymous said...

I have no doubt that Team McCaffrey will ensure that Will is well cared for! Go get 'em. I hope that he's feeling more comfortable, resting and healing. He's in our thoughts all the time. Michael and Jennifer Granzow and Family

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say that we will all miss you today at NaNa's but we are glad that you are together as a family! We will be thinking about about you and sending Merry Chiristmas thoughts your way!


Love Uncle Bill, Aunt Barb, Lindsay and Alie

Anonymous said...

Good Christmas eve morning to Will and the amazing McCaffrey team. Will is so lucky to have you all there with him. It is upsetting to here about the pain that he is in. It brings back memories sitting in the hospial with Uncle Steve when he was in the same pain. Just know that everyday it gets a little easier. We will miss everyone tonight at nana's house but know that all of you will be in our thoughts. We love each and everyone of you.
Merry Christmas,
Aunt Sharon, Uncle Steve, Nick and Colby

Anonymous said...

Hi Team McCaffrey!
Glad to hear that they hopefully have gotten Will's pain under control. I must say I cant hold back the tears when I hear of the pain he is in and that he is thinking of Nana's tonight.. Its is soo many of our favorite days of the year! Christmas Eve at Nana and Pa's has been a every year thing for me for 31 years and Will 30! Not having him there tonight for me will be very hard!Along with Liz, Matt, Aunt Carol, Uncle Bill and Shana missing.. But I know that he is with all of you and that makes me smile.. Hope that you all know we will be thinking of you all tonight.. Wishing you were here! Much love to all of you! Love you tons! Merry Christmas Eve!
Love-
Steph

Anonymous said...

Shana,
Although it has been many years since we were a daily part of each other's lives, you and Will are now in my thoughts every day. The love and devotion you two share is truly inspiring! I can't even imagine the pain he is in right now, and how hard it must be for you to watch. I know you will stay positive and continue to be his greatest source of comfort. Stay strong Shana! I will continue to send healing thoughts your way.
Love, Shannon (Nolan) Polizzi

Anonymous said...

To all you amazing caregivers with Will-
Sending love, prayers, and Christmas wishes from the Kirks in Florida and Oregon.

Will and all who love him are never out of our thoughts.

-Margaret Kirk

melissa chirico brown said...

merrt xmas! Go will power thinking of you!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Will and Team Will! Health and Happiness to you all in the New Year.


Linda

Anonymous said...

Will
Glad to hear you are doing well. I am not too good at typing I use one finger but keep up the pace. Uncle Paul and Aunt Peggy

Chris Shields said...

To Will, Shana, Liz, and the rest of the McCaffrey family, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and my prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Will, Shana and family. I've been following the updates and the wonderful news of successful surgery has been a gift to all of us this holiday season. Keep up the WillPower as you go through the difficult process of healing and know that you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers every day.

Liz C

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and your family very much. I hope things start to improve little by little everyday. I know Team McCaffrey is strong and supportive, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!!

Sheehan Hayes and family

GiPi said...

It's glorious news that he's ok but heart wrenching to hear the amount of pain he's in. This is truly a wonderful Christmas present. See you soon

Cindy Dout said...

I'm so glad Will has a powerful team around him. Just reading about the surgery and subsequent pain is hard. Sending good healthy thoughts and best wishes to all of you.